Coastal Blanks UNCA for First Conference Win

CONWAY - The Coastal Carolina women’s tennis team won its first match against a Big South opponent this season in convincing fashion with a 7-0 sweep of UNC Asheville at the Billy Nichols Tennis Center. The Chanticleers (11-2) now hold a conference record of 1-1 after what was the first Big South match for the Bulldogs (7-4, 0-1).

Partners Kourtney Kowal and Honami Yazawa paired up at No. 1 to take the first of three doubles matches. The Chants’ top pair delivered an 8-5 loss to Zoe Hamel and Erica Rivero.

The Chants proceeded to sweep all six singles points, five of them coming in straight sets.

Kowal defeated Hamel at No. 1 6-2, 6-1 while Scott grabbed a point for Coastal at No. 2 with a 6-3, 6-0, win over Rivero.

Yazawa bested Soldier at No. 3, 6-2, 6-1, and Delay won a tight three-set match at No. 4. Delay took an easy first set 6-1 before falling in close second set, 6-7. Boissevain could not hold on as Delay won the tiebreaking third set 10-7.

Babayan and Malatek closed out the match for the Chants, taking points at Nos. 5 and 6, respectively.

The Chants now face a three-match stretch of non-conference foes before jumping back into Big South play, beginning with Virginia Tech on Sunday. The match is set for 10 a.m. at the Billy Nichols Tennis Center.

Schedule Note: Sunday's match against Virginia Tech has been moved up to 8 a.m. due to impending weather.